Understanding Workplace First Aid Qualifications in the UK and Ireland

Employers across the UK and Ireland are legally obligated to provide adequate first aid provisions in the workplace. This duty stems from the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 in the UK and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 in Ireland. However, navigating the various first aid qualifications, particularly Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and First Aid at Work (FAW), can be confusing. This article aims to clarify the distinctions, helping businesses determine the appropriate level of training for their staff.

EFAW: Emergency First Aid at Work – The Essentials

Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is a foundational first aid qualification designed for workplaces with lower risks. In the UK, it is typically a one-day course, lasting a minimum of 6 hours. The primary goal of EFAW training is to equip individuals with essential life-saving skills to manage incidents and stabilise a casualty until emergency services arrive.

Key topics covered in an EFAW course include:

  • The role and responsibilities of a first aider
  • Assessing an incident and scene safety
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
  • Treating an unresponsive casualty
  • Managing choking (adult)
  • Dealing with severe bleeding and shock
  • Treating minor injuries

EFAW is generally suitable for workplaces such as offices, retail environments, and other settings where the likelihood of serious incidents is lower. The certificate for EFAW is valid for three years, with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommending annual refresher training to maintain competence.

FAW: First Aid at Work – Comprehensive Coverage

First Aid at Work (FAW) is a more comprehensive first aid qualification, intended for higher-risk workplaces or those with a greater number of employees. This course typically spans three days, involving a minimum of 18 hours of training. FAW training encompasses all the content of EFAW, but delves into a wider range of injuries and illnesses, preparing first aiders for more complex scenarios.

In addition to the EFAW curriculum, FAW courses typically cover:

  • Fractures and spinal injuries
  • Head and chest injuries
  • Burns and scalds
  • Eye injuries
  • Poisoning
  • Anaphylactic shock
  • Major illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, and epilepsy

Workplaces such as construction sites, manufacturing facilities, or larger organisations where more advanced first aid response is needed typically require FAW-trained personnel. Like EFAW, the FAW certificate is valid for three years, with annual refreshers recommended.

Irish Context: PHECC First Aid Response (FAR)

In the Republic of Ireland, the primary qualification for workplace first aid is the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) First Aid Response (FAR) standard. Since September 1st, 2017, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has recognised PHECC FAR as the benchmark for occupational first aid in workplaces. Previously, QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) FETAC Level 5 Occupational First Aid was also recognised, but dual recognition ceased in May 2018.

Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see PMVA trainer qualifications or explore AED defibrillator trainer courses for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.

The PHECC FAR course is a 3-day programme designed to provide comprehensive first aid skills. It covers similar topics to the UK's FAW, including patient assessment, incident procedures, Cardiac First Response (CFR) at community level (including CPR and AED use), injury management, care of the unconscious patient, and specific conditions like burns, hypothermia, and hyperthermia.

Regulatory Guidance and Choosing the Right Qualification

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 in the UK and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 in Ireland do not explicitly mandate EFAW or FAW by name. Instead, they require employers to undertake a first aid needs assessment to determine the 'adequate and appropriate' level of provision.

This assessment should consider:

  • The nature of the work and workplace hazards
  • The number of employees
  • Workplace size and layout
  • The history of accidents and illnesses
  • The proximity to emergency medical services
  • The needs of vulnerable employees

Based on this assessment, employers can decide whether EFAW, FAW, or PHECC FAR (in Ireland) is the most suitable qualification. For instance, the HSE suggests that for low-risk environments with 25-50 employees, at least one EFAW-qualified person is needed, while for over 50 employees, a FAW qualification is required. However, these are guidelines, and the needs assessment is paramount.

It's important to note that both EFAW and FAW certificates are valid for three years. While annual refresher training is strongly recommended by the HSE to maintain skills, it is not a legal requirement for the certificate's validity.

Recent updates from the Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) in 2025 have also introduced new guidelines for first aid, including emphasis on early calling of emergency services for unresponsive individuals and updated CPR techniques for infants (two-thumb encircling method). These updates are progressively being incorporated into first aid training courses.

For businesses seeking to ensure their first aid provisions are compliant and effective, professional training providers play a crucial role. Abertay Training, found at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk, offers a range of first aid courses tailored to meet diverse workplace needs.